With the number of negative, but high-profile cases gaining attention in recent years, it is imperative that practitioners be well-versed and clear as to their ethical responsibilities to the public that they serve. This program opens with a discussion of ethics and the different ethical reasoning methods, and the business failures that resulted from a lack of appropriate corporate governance. The focus then shifts to a discussion of the Colorado Revised Statutes and Administrative Rules, and the rules of professional conduct CPAs in Colorado must be in compliance with. The program then takes a look at the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, and closes with a discussion of PCAOB independence standards and the AICPA Statements on Standards for Tax Services.

Use of Materials

DVD
The user should begin by watching the DVD segment, if any, for the chapter before reading the text. The user may wish to make notes of the most important concepts and any terms that are new. Next, the user should review the learning objectives at the beginning of the chapter and read the chapter. The user should work through each of the examples. It may be helpful to highlight important material and/or to make additional notes. Next, the user should complete the study questions at the end of the chapter and review the answers. If the user answers a study question incorrectly, s/he should review the section of the text that is indicated at the end of the explanation to the study question to assure comprehension of the material. The user should review the learning objectives once more to consider achievement of the objectives. After the user has finished watching the DVD and reading the text and working through the study questions, s/he may wish to review her/his notes and any sections of the text or DVD that were difficult. When the user is ready, s/he should complete the quizzer. Reviewing notes periodically will increase retention of the material.

Online
The user should begin by watching the streamed video segment, if any, or listening to the streamed audio segment, if any, for the chapter before reading the text. The user may wish to make notes of the most important concepts and any terms that are new. Next, the user should review the learning objectives at the beginning of the chapter and read the chapter. The user should work through each of the examples. After the user has studied each chapter, s/he should click on the link at the left to complete the interactive study questions. If the user answers a study question incorrectly, s/he should review the section of the text that is indicated at the end of the explanation to the study question to assure comprehension of the material. The user should review the learning objectives once more to consider achievement of the objectives. After the user has finished watching the streamed video, if any, or listening to the streamed audio, if any, and reading the text and working through the study questions, s/he may wish to review her/his notes and any sections of the text or video/audio, if any, that were difficult. When the user is ready, s/he should click on the link to the left to complete the quizzer. The user's CPE certificate will be provided immediately upon successful completion of the quizzer.

Chapter 1 provides an introduction to ethics and discusses the different ethical reasoning methods.

Chapter 2 discusses CPA responsibilities to the public and the different corporate failures that resulted from a lack of ethical tone at the top.

Chapter 3 discusses the Colorado Revised Statutes and the Administrative Rules of the Colorado BOA.

Chapter 4 details the rules of professional conduct CPAs in Colorado must be in compliance with.

Chapter 5 examines Rules 101 and 102 under the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.

Chapter 6 covers additional AICPA ethics rules related to other responsibilities and practices.

Chapter 7 discusses other regulatory standards for auditor independence, including PCAOB Rules.

Chapter 8 takes a look at the Statements on Standards for Tax Services.

The Appendix contains a bibliography.

Throughout this program, the user will find explanations and discussions regarding some of the issues that often face practitioners. In order to enhance the user's comprehension of the material and highlight important practical considerations, this program includes the

A Biskplan offers a strategy/discussion point when a practitioner is faced with a particular issue or situation.

A Biskpoint presents analysis or commentary that attempts to explain or clarify authoritative guidance.

• Demonstrate how philosophical reasoning methods can assist in making ethical decisions

• Identify the elements of utilitarianism, rights, and justice theories

• Discuss how business entities have made mistakes in decision making by ignoring ethical reasoning considerations

• Discuss how and why regulation of accounting has changed over time and the role of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board

• Describe what is meant by the public interest obligation of accountants and auditors

• Determine what is required by the integrity and objectivity standards

• Explain the requirements to renew certificates and to register partnerships, professional corporations, and limited liability companies

• List grounds for disciplinary action against certificants

• Discuss the continuing education rules for an active status certificate

• Discuss the peer review requirements including those subject to reviews, document retention requirements, and records submission

• Evaluate when a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct exists

• Explain when a commission can be accepted when conducting an audit, review, or compilation of financial statements

• Identify exceptions to the confidentiality obligation under the Rules

• Explain the "substantial equivalency" requirements

• Identify relationships that violate the independence rules under the AICPA Code

• Discuss how a CPA should handle differences of opinion in the application of accounting principles

• Explain the responsibilities of a CPA using a third-party service provider

• Identify a CPA's ethical responsibilities when rendering an opinion on the client's financial statements

• Develop an understanding of the ethical obligations of a CPA to a client when using a third-party service provider

• Determine when client provided records and other supporting information should be turned over to the client

• Recognize the importance of other ethical responsibilities including permissible advertising and solicitation practices, the acceptance of commissions, contingent fees, and referral fees, and the form and name of organization used to practice public accounting

• Evaluate whether independence may be impaired under PCAOB rules

• Identify when a conflict of interests may exist when a member of the audit engagement team accepts a position with a client

• Identify the SEC's overarching principles that underlie auditor independence

• Explain how the AICPA Statements on Standards for Tax Services (SSTS) affect a CPA's ethical and professional responsibilities in tax practice

• Describe the ethical obligations of a tax practitioner to clients and the government